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Prevention for Pediatric and Adolescent Migraine
Carolyn Hickman1, Kara Stuart Lewis1,2, Robert Little1,2,3
1Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Headache
|October 8, 2015
Summary
Frequent migraines cause disability in children and adolescents. This review examines evidence for preventative medications like antidepressants and anticonvulsants, commonly used but less studied in pediatric migraine patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Headache Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Migraine significantly impacts children and adolescents, leading to disability.
- Quantification tools for pediatric migraine impact exist.
- Preventative medications used in adults are often applied to children, despite limited specific research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the indications for migraine preventative medications in children and adolescents.
- To evaluate the existing evidence for the efficacy and safety of these treatments in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on migraine preventatives in pediatric populations.
- Analysis of evidence for antidepressants, antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, and botulinum toxin.
- Assessment of clinical guidelines and research data.
Main Results:
- Evidence varies significantly across different medication classes.
- Some classes show promise, while others lack robust pediatric data.
- Botulinum toxin and certain anticonvulsants have emerging evidence.
Conclusions:
- Migraine prevention in children requires careful consideration of limited evidence.
- Further high-quality research is crucial for optimizing pediatric migraine management.
- Tailoring treatment based on available data is essential.
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